Empty smuggling boat found on Carlsbad shore

By Pauline Repard
Friday, April 29, 2011 at 2:14 p.m.

CARLSBAD — A smuggling boat washed up on South Ponto Beach early Friday and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection was investigating to find those who may have come ashore.

A passerby called Carlsbad police about 6:30 a.m. to report seeing the boat, laden with 22 fuel cans, beached just south of Carlsbad State Beach, police Lt. Kelly Cain said. He said there was clothing scattered around near the boat.

Police notified Customs and Border Protection and state park rangers, Cain said.

No arrests had been made as of midday, said Customs and Border Protection spokesman Rodolfo Zuniga. He said the outboard motor boat was 16 to 20 feet long.

Zuniga said his agency has seized 60 smuggling boats, called pangas, and made 417 arrests related to maritime smuggling, in San Diego County since Oct. 1.

pauline.repard@uniontrib.com • (619) 293-1865

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